POSTAL workers in Weston are considering strike action

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POSTAL workers in Weston are considering strike action in a row with Royal Mail over planned job cuts.

Communication Worker Union (CWU) officials visited the branch's 160 staff this week to propose the ballot.

It follows a vote in favour of 24-hour strike action by postal workers in Clevedon and Yatton.

Bristol CWU branch secretary David Wilshire said there was strong opposition to Royal Mail plans to cut branch workforces by 10 per cent.

He said: "Strike action will undoubtedly have a large affect on post in such areas.

"It will lead to short-term disruption, but this is all about protecting the service to the public long-term.

"I think we have the public support behind us."

Mr Wilshire said the majority of the 20 staff at Yatton and 50 at Clevedon were set to join in the planned strike.

The date of the action will be announced on Friday after Royal Mail has been notified.

It is likely to cause disruption to BS19 postcodes, including Sandford and Congresbury, and BS20, including Portbury and Portishead.

Mr Wilshire added: "The Royal Mail is ignoring every agreement they have with us and are forcing through cost-cutting measures.

"We want them to stop implementation of the plans for three-months so we can sit down for discussions."

A Royal Mail spokesman, however, accused the union of working to damage the firm's relationship with customers.

He said: "Industrial action will not modernise Royal Mail - it will simply disrupt the service to which customers are entitled, lead to an even greater loss of business and leave the firm far less able to protect full time jobs.

"As mail volumes fall we need to make changes and become more efficient right across the UK.